Gov. Christie to hold first town hall-style event since June

Governor Christie will hold his first town hall-style event since June, this one planned for Middleton Township on Thursday and to focus on the administration’s plan for distributing the second round of federal Sandy recovery funds, his office announced Friday.

The event – once again detailing the state’s plans to release more aid for Superstorm Sandy – is the first since Christie has been forced to answer questions about his administration’s role in the George Washington Bridge scandal.

Members of the administration will be in attendance to help answer questions for residents about Sandy-related housing or business assistance programs after the town hall ends.

Christie’s announcement for how he plans to hand out the second round of federal relief funds will be made in a community that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

This is Christie’s first such event since late June. So far he has hosted 109 other occasions. Town halls have helped shape Christie’s reputation both as a straight shooter who won’t shy away from tough questions and as a bully who will yell at residents who pose a question he considers out of line.

The governor will be accompanied by the heads of several state agencies that continue to play a role in Sandy relief efforts, such as Economic Development Authority CEO Michele Brown.

Cabinet officials will help be present to answer questions at 12:30 p.m. and are scheduled to stick around for an hour and a half.